Moffat

   MOFFAT, a parish, partly in the county of Lanark, but chiefly in that of Dumfries; containing 2199 inhabitants, of whom 1413 are in the town of Moffat, 21 miles (N. N. E.) from Dumfries, and 52 (S. by W.) from Edinburgh. This place, of which the name is of doubtful etymology, is not distinguished by many events of historical importance; the principal on record are, the defeat of Edward Baliol in 1333, by Sir Archibald Douglas, at the head of 1000 horse, and the passage of a division of the Highland army in the service of the Pretender in 1715, on their route to England. The parish, with the exception of two farms only in the county of Lanark, is situated in the district of Annandale, and is about fifteen miles in extreme length and nine miles at its greatest breadth, comprising 38,400 acres, of which 3750 are arable, 800 woodland and plantations, and the remainder hill-pasture, moor, and waste. Nearly one-half of the lands are the property of Mr. Hope Johnstone of Annandale, a descendant of the Johnstones of Lochwood, lords of Annandale, of whom William, the second earl, was created a marquess in the reign of William III.; the remainder is divided among numerous proprietors. The surface is generally hilly, and towards the borders mountainous. On the north boundary are the mountains of Hartfell and Lochcraig, nearly equal in height, and of which the former has an elevation of 3000 feet above the level of the sea, terminating in a flat summit of very considerable extent: in the north-east are the heights of Saddleyoke, Bodisbeck, and Lochfell. The vales of Evan, Annan, and Moffat, through which flow the rivers of those names, are nearly parallel, and inclosed by ranges of hills of moderate elevation. The Evan, which runs for four miles through the parish in a south-eastern direction, and the Moffat, which takes a south-western course of about seven miles, both fall into the Annan, a few miles below the town; and the Annan, after a southern course of ten miles here, and receiving the waters just referred to, passes through the rest of Annandale into the Solway Frith. The only lake of importance is Loch Skeen, situated to the north-east, at an elevation of 1400 feet above the level of the sea; it is about three-fourths of a mile in length and one-fourth in breadth, and surrounded by mountains of dreary aspect. In the centre is a rocky islet, the undisturbed resort of the eagle. The lake abounds with trout, and is frequented by anglers: a stream from it issues with great force, and, falling from precipitous rocks nearly 400 feet in height, forms a stupendous cataract called the Grey Mare's Tail.

   The soil in the vales, especially those of Annan and Moffat, is rich, dry, and fertile; and in the higher lands, light and heathy, chiefly affording pasture for sheep, for which purpose above 30,000 acres are appropriated. The crops are, oats, wheat, barley, potatoes and turnips, with the various grasses. The system of agriculture is improved; the farm-buildings have been rendered more substantial and commodious, and many of the cottages have been rebuilt in a comfortable style, and roofed with slate. Great attention is paid to the management of live-stock, and a farming association has been established. About 400 milch-cows of the Ayrshire breed are kept on the dairy-farms, and 550 head of young cattle are annually reared; the number of black-cattle fed on the pastures is about 1000, of sheep 25,000, of swine 400, and about fifty horses. The remains of the ancient woods are at Craigieburn and in a few other places; the plantations consist of oak, ash, birch, larch, and mountain-ash, and are well managed and in a thriving state. The chief substrata are sandstone and blue whinstone, with slate of good quality for roofing; an attempt to find coal was made very recently, but without success, and a search for copper-ore in Hartfell was equally unavailing. The principal seats are, Craigieburn House, the seat of Mr. Proudfoot, and which, with the adjacent wood, is celebrated by the poet Burns; Dumcrief, once the residence of Mc Adam, the improver of roads, whose remains lie interred in the churchyard of Moffat; Granton, the seat of Mr. Jardine, a new and elegant structure; and Heathryhaugh, the seat of the late Mr. Tod, a beautiful spot, situated on the road conducting to Moffatt well.

   The town, standing near the opening of the vale of Annan, on an elevated site 300 feet above the level of the sea, is neatly built, consisting of one spacious street, in the centre of which is the market-place, a square area where is a public cistern for supplying the town with water. This place is much frequented by visiters, who resort in numbers during the season to drink the waters of the mineral springs in its immediate neighbourhood, and for whose accommodation there are several good inns and respectable lodging-houses. The vicinity abounds with beautifully picturesque scenery and with objects of interest; many new houses have been erected, and some pleasing villas have been built, and are inhabited by opulent families. The Well of Moffat is about a mile and a half from the town, and is approached by an excellent carriage road; it is strongly sulphureous, and on analysis by Dr. Garnet a wine gallon was found to contain, of muriate of soda thirty-six grains, sulphuretted hydrogen gas ten cubic inches, of azotic four, and carbonic acid gas five. It evaporates quickly, and can be drunk with due effect only at the well, for which purpose a spacious pump and reading-room has been erected, to which is attached a bowling-green; baths have also been constructed on a superior plan, and there is good stabling at the inn. The Hartfell Spa, about four miles from the town, is a powerful chalybeate issuing from a deep ravine on the west side of the mountain. A wine gallon contains, of sulphate of iron eighty-four grains, sulphate of alumina twelve grains, and of azotic gas five cubic inches; it is a powerful tonic, and may be kept for a considerable time without losing its efficacy. The Evan-Bridge Spa, a little to the south of the town, is a chalybeate less powerful than the Hartfell, containing in a wine gallon, of oxide of iron two grains, of carbonic acid gas thirteen cubic inches, and of azotic gas two.

   The weaving of stockings is carried on to a moderate extent, and there are a mill for fulling cloth, a saw-mill, and a corn-mill; many of the inhabitants are employed in the various handicraft trades for the supply of the neighbourhood, and there are numerous handsome shops well stored with merchandise. A market is held weekly, and a couple of branch banks have been established; the post-office has a tolerably good delivery. The police is under the management of two special constables; two magistrates reside in the town, and a court of petty-sessions is held monthly. Facility of communication with Dumfries and Edinburgh, and with Glasgow, Carlisle, and other places, is afforded by good roads. The rateable annual value of the parish is £5209. Its ecclesiastical affairs are under the superintendence of the presbytery of Lochmaben and synod of Dumfries. The minister's stipend is £260. 5., with a manse, and a glebe valued at £25 per annum; patron, Hope Johnstone, Esq., of Annandale. The church, a handsome structure, built by James, Earl of Hopetoun, and beautifully situated, contains about 1000 sittings. There are places of worship for Burghers and members of the Free Church. The parochial school is well conducted; the master has a salary of £25. 13. 6., with a house and garden, and the fees average £10 per annum. A distinct grammar school was formerly supported from the proceeds of a bequest of £1000 by Robert Johnstone, Esq., of London, for its erection and endowment; but this and the parochial school are at present one academy under a head-master and an assistant. A school is also supported by subscription; and there are others, depending solely on the fees. Part of the Roman road through the vale of Annan to Crawford may still be traced in the parish; and there are some tolerably perfect remains of Frenchland Tower, of which little of the origin is recorded; also of a more ancient fortification called the Cornal Tower.